Silver Bison Buckle

Massive herds of Bison roamed freely in America. They tilled the Earth and provided for life along their path. For Indigenous Americans: Blackfoot, Lakota, Navajo, and Paiute, Bison were an integral part of life. The Bison and people were one. Although such intimate relations have since been torn, the memory of the great American Bison evokes values of freedom and harmony with nature. 

I recently traveled some Florida backroads in search of new hiking trails. On that journey, I learned that 60 Bison were reintroduced to Paynes Prairie in Gainesville, Fl. I was happy to see that there could still be a future for Bison in Florida. 

My grandfather came to me with a request. First, he told me a story of the defunct gold mining town where he lived for a time and raised my mom and uncle, Cripple Creek, Colorado. In town, he found an already old brass bison buckle, which he has worn for decades since. My task was to reproduce the antique in silver, so I laser scanned it, 3D printed a model, and cast it from recycled silverware. Understandably, my grandfather now proudly wears that first silver Bison buckle, but if the Bison speaks to you, I now offer the same piece here.

This work is a bit of a departure for me since I’m replicating another person's art. I believe, however, that I have elevated the piece. Certainly for my grandfather and perhaps for the original artist. 

Material: Recycled antique Sterling silver 

Weighs: 5.1 oz.

Measures: 3.5" long by 2.5" wide

Max belt width: 1.5"